Health and other associated issues - Tips, Information and Guides
Secrets to Becoming a Wine Connoisseur
by: Fred London Wine is a broad term that refers to the fermentation of plant matter for
the purpose of producing an alcoholic beverage. Of course, most people think of
grapes as the basis for wine, but other sources include rice (sake), various
fruits (elderberry, grapefruit, cherry, etc.), barley, and even honey (mead). For the purposes of this short explanation, we ll stick with wines made
from grapes. These are categorized several ways, including by vinification
methods, taste, and vintage. Many casual drinkers pay little attention to the
differences in these categories. After all, for most folks the sole
consideration is good taste. However, for many aficionados wine is serious
business. The variety, taste, and vintage must all meet high expectations before
serious collectors will consider owning a bottle. Vinification Vinification simply means the method by which grape juice is fermented
into wine. The practices followed during fermentation are what determine the
type of wine you end up being able to purchase. A common misunderstanding by the
average drinker is that grape juice colors vary, which is what produces red,
white, or rose wines. Actually, all grapes produce clear (or very close to
clear) juices. What creates the color of the wine you buy is whether the grape
skins have been left in contact with the juice during the fermentation process.
Red wines have been fermented thusly; whites have not fermented in contact with
grape skins; rose is a combination of the two. Sparkling wines, such as champagne, have bubbly characteristics that are
caused by the addition of carbon dioxide. This effect is achieved by fermenting
the grape juice two times. The first time, the juice is fermented in open
containers, which allow the carbon dioxide to escape. During the second
fermentation, the juice is kept in closed containers, trapping and infusing the
gases. Taste Most wines are described as dry, off-dry, fruity, or sweet. Technically,
this refers to the amount of sugars left over after fermentation is completed.
Dry has a tiny amount of residual sugar content, while sweet has high sugar
content. Beyond this basic taste classification, wine-tasting experts have
developed a system of classifying wines by the more in-depth tastes and aromas
they exude. Many outsiders find this a somewhat bewildering system, but tasting
pros consider the ability to discern subtle elements of a wines taste to be a
badge of honor. As one example, Cabernet Sauvignon is a popular variety that
wine tasters claim contains a combination of black currants, chocolate, mint,
and tobacco flavors. Vintage Vintage is a straightforward classification. It refers to the year of the
grapes harvest from which a bottle of wine was made. This is important because
many grape growers have exceptionally good harvests only during certain years.
Also, the best grapes are usually singled out for use in a producers vintage
bottles. You get the highest quality wine from that year’s harvest.
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doc thanks Jonathan Leger txt
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